Ret or Prot for running old content ?

What do you guys think ? what's the better spec for running old content and of course it's for Xmog gear . have in mind this aspects and raids:

- ilvl for both specs at 480-485 around that range.
- Fast and Safe ( no wipes )
- Able to avoid mechanics (example :like first boss in BT just burn it.)
- BT , SSC , TK , Hyjal , KZ and last but not least Sunwell.

All the raids you listed are very easily and quickly doable as ret; prot doesn't begin to take over until you get into content that hits very, very hard (hence gives vengeance), which is at least 25m WotLK raids and Cata raids.

In my experience it's Wrath content and up that Prot becomes better at...and not even necessarily better. It's a case by case basis. Depends if surviving is the issue or if needing to kill quickly is more important.

I just started soloing stuff w/my ret pally alt...505 ilvl, has done everything as ret through the first few bosses of ICC 10...got stuck at Saurfang, the damage was a little much..only gave it two attempts though, not sure if I'm going to have to go prot or not. I have a feeling I will have to though due to his heal.

Given the constraints set forth by the OP, I had to vote Ret. Had he/she included L80-90 content, this thread would be less poll-friendly and would probably require a fight-by-fight breakdown of which spec is superior for each. Ret should be superior at least through Sunwell (dependent on gear), with Prot likely mandatory (at least with currently available gear) if you're looking at something like solo HC LK 25.

both. Some fights you want the survivability of prot while others need the dps of ret. I don't have the dps to kill XT on 25 man but when I switch to ret I can kill him no problem. For TBC raids I'd primarily stick to ret.

What do you guys think ? what's the better spec for running old content and of course it's for Xmog gear . have in mind this aspects and raids:

- ilvl for both specs at 480-485 around that range.
- Fast and Safe ( no wipes )
- Able to avoid mechanics (example :like first boss in BT just burn it.)
- BT , SSC , TK , Hyjal , KZ and last but not least Sunwell.

BT - I found I could do everything up until council as Ret with the exception of Gurtogg.
SSC - haven't tried with Karathress being bugged (dont know if they've fixed it since I tried last)
TK - Everything there is easily done as Ret.
Hyjal - Rage can die in a fire, Everything else can be done as Ret.

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